How to Upgrade Your Basement Windows 

Yep used the Blue Great Stuff in my window and it worked great. It only fills in the gaps, doesn't have enough force to push plastic.

I like your comment and I’m trying to figure out how to install windows in my basement of my brick 1940s house. I have the glass frame which is hinged and an outer storm window which are framed in by two by fours which are attached to the brick foundation. Would you suggest removing all of that wood and just get down to brick and concrete it installing or keep the 2 x 4 framing in place and attached to that from the inside of the house? Any feedback would be much appreciated as there are so many ways to do this

Thx for taking the time to comment… that was confusing me since the basement windows I have are encased in concrete

Moodie B Yeah, I have always seen the nailing flange snapped off and the window screwed from the sides. Then caulk from the exterior and interior and you’re done. No exterior trim needed.

BrewersArcade Yeah, they work way better than their low price suggests. I have almost every cordless tool they make (and 7 lithium batteries in all the sizes), all in heavy use these days.

Mr. Money Mustache yea I assume you have the supercharger that holds 6 batteries. The high capacity p108 batteries last forever! I just convinced my parents to get the 20" 40v Ryobi mower and it kicks ass too. Did their entire 1/3 acre yard that has thick zoysia grass. I'm gonna pick one up once my 20 yr old mower gives up the ghost. Keep these videos coming. I have financial confidence but I need more handyman confidence

+Blair Anderson Good point, I missed that important detail! My friend Luc finished off that part - he sliced up some 2x4s to become roughly 1.5x2.25, and built effectively a picture frame around each window with 45 degree angle corners. The frame extends all the way to the edge of the opening in the foundation wall, so each piece is trimmed a little to fit the uneven space.. Nailed in with 2" finish nails (nailgun) and caulked/painted nicely. Nothing fancy but it blends everything in.

Mr. Money Mustache No worries, I figured something like that. nice work.

date other mustachians. ;)

That’s what I’m trying to figure out. If it’s installed from the inside you would not order windows with nailing fins right?. I have a 1940s house with 34” x 17” tilt in windows with an outer storm. The wood framing around them is a 2” x 6” or 2” x 4” up against the brick walls. I guess I could order them slightly undersized 33.5 x 16.5 without nail fans and install from the inside. Could anybody give me feedback on the best way to do this? Thank you

@@TheFord1965 When we had our century-old double hung windows replaced in 2017, they were replaced entirely from the inside. I think unless you are going to pull off siding and redo some water proofing on the outside (not a bad idea if it hasn't been updated in a long while, but it creates a much larger project), replacement windows are preferred vs the new construction windows with the fin. In general, I'd also think about how well protected the windows are from rain. If you've got a solid overhang not far from the top of the windows (e.g. 18 inch overhang that starts 18 inches above the window, that reduces risks as windows frequently leak at the top. If you've got a minimal overhang, then the risk will be higher and by how much would likely depend heavily on the details of your particular wall.